Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.  (Psalm 67:4, ESV)

Sometimes we fall into the pit of believing that God favors our nation above others.  The Psalmist, an Israelite, begs a different position.  According to the songwriter, God’s character, God’s work is so pervasive that it touches the whole earth.  Long before the angel told Mary that Salvation had finally arrived, this song of joy proclaimed the expectation of salvation among all nations.  Surely if it is true that God rightly judges every culture, every language, every lifestyle and guides all the affairs of humans, he is worthy of every glad song. 

It is disheartening to open the ear to the songs of the day:  songs to sexual self-gratification, songs to anger and bitterness, songs to self-praise, songs to disconnected emotional ecstasy.  How deep is this well of self-delusion, this dark hole that facilitates our smug self-dependence?  Will we ever see day’s light again and humbly, gratefully fall face to the earth and bless God through earth shaking melodic thanksgivings? 

God’s patient care and gracious abundance demand nothing less.